Incoming AG thrilled about the job

Australia's incoming attorney-general believes the nation's laws should protect and care for all Australians.

Mark Dreyfus, QC, will replace Nicola Roxon on Monday as she stands aside for personal reasons ahead of quitting politics at the September 14 federal election.

"I have been sitting in cabinet as the cabinet secretary since the election, so to some extent that will be a familiar environment, but of course the workload will increase and I'm thrilled to have this opportunity," Mr Dreyfus told ABC online on Saturday.

"I've had a long career in the law and it's a career that's given me ... a number of deep beliefs about the Australian legal system, such as Australian laws are there to protect and care for all Australians - our elderly, our workers, our injured, outspoken journalists."

Australian laws need to reflect national values of fairness and equality of opportunity, he says.

Mr Dreyfus was first elected to the seat of Isaacs in Victoria in 2007. He's been cabinet secretary and parliamentary secretary for climate change and energy efficiency since the last election.

He was born in Perth and studied law in Melbourne where he became a ministerial adviser to Victorian attorney-general Jim Kennan in 1985.

Mr Dreyfus became a barrister in 1987 and a Queens Counsel in 1999.

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